McLaren has finally revealed what everyone has been waiting for -- the performance specs of the new P1 supercar: 903 horsepower and 663 lb.-ft. of torque from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V8 engine mated to a hybrid system.
As per McLaren's engineering philosophy, the McLaren engine is extremely efficient and incredibly effective in design. Rather than create an all-new engine dedicated to the P1, McLaren smartly reengineers the existing powerplant in the MP4-12C to extend the performance to 727 hp and 531 lb.-ft. of torque. McLaren's proprietary electric motor, no doubt highly inspired by the racing team's Formula 1 system, adds an additional 176 hp and 192 lb.-ft. of torque.
No doubt McLaren's latest hardware is capable of unthinkable amounts of power. However, it could actually deliver even more. Readers that did the math will note that the 531 lb.-ft. of torque from the twin-turbocharged V8 and the 192 lb.-ft. of torque from the electric motor combine to produce a total of 723 lb.-ft. of torque.
So what is stopping McLaren from doing so? The P1 is fitted with a cutting edge seven-speed dual clutch transmission that transfers all the power to the rear wheels. However, McLaren has yet to develop a dual-clutch transaxle robust enough to reliably handle all 723 lb.-ft. of torque. For now, a limit at 663 lb.-ft. of torque ensures the gearbox will not explode.
Despite the downgraded torque figure, the McLaren does combine the dual clutch mechanism and the electric motor to introduce unmatched shift times. The P1 is capable of negative torque, a novel design that allows the engine speed to drop quickly and precisely with every upshift to assure the engine reaches its maximum torque band more quickly for more of the time.
Beyond an innovative powertrain, McLaren will introduce many fresh aerodynamic designs as well. Formula 1's DRS (Drag Reduction System) is applied into a production car for the first time and will activate a removable flap on the rear wing via a single button on the steering wheel. The DRS effectively helps the P1 reduce wind resistance by as much as 23 percent.
Expect to learn more about the new McLaren P1 hypercar in the months ahead. Be sure to check out the images below:
